Mask



MASK

Jan. 14, 1947..

Filed Dec. 15, 1944v Patented Jan. 14, 1947 MASK Howard R. Bierman andGeorge E. Beckwith, United States Navy Application December 15, 1944,Serial No.,568,372

Y (o1. 12s-141) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

` 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a mask or breathing apparatus of the typewhich includes a face piece that covers the face of the wearer and moreparticularly to means for retaining the mask in protective position overthe face. A

A further object of this invention is to provide a gas mask retainingmeans which is easily operable for quick manipulation in placing themask in operative position as well as for quicklr removing it fromoperative position.

'A still further object of this invention is to provide a retainingmeans for gas mask that may be used independently of a helmet andirrespective of the presence or absence of a helmet, or may be used inconjunction with a helmet, and in either case have the same facility forquick emplacement or displacement of the mask.

A still further object of this invention 'u to provide an easilyremovable and replaceable mask particularly intended as an oxygen mask,but equally serviceable as a gas mask for protection against poisongases, which retaining means is adapted to hold the mask securely inplace at all times.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a mask retainingmeans, particularly intended for an oxygen mask of the type whichincludes a microphone.

Still another object of this invention is to pro vide a gas or oxygenmask of the type which in cludes a microphone and wherein the air oroxygen tube enters from the side so as to be disposed over the wearersshoulder rather than depend from the bottom, as customary, thus makingthis improved mask particularly useful for aviators by keeping the tubein a position where it will not be an interference.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists inthe construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter setforth, claimed and illustrated in the drawing in which:

Fig, l is a perspective view of the mask retaining means in operativeposition, showing the right three-quarter prole of the wearer.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the left three-quarter profile ofthe wearer,

Fig. 3 is a detailed enlarged view showing the mask gripping details.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the quick disconnect clamp in partiallyopen condition, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the clamp in closedposition.

There is shown at ill a gas or oxygen mask of the type having amicrophone well I I for supamended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757)'porting a microphone, not shown, therewithin. Extending from one side ofthe mask II] is an air or oxygen tube I2 having its entry port I3substantially above the microphone well and hence considerably above thelips of the wearer I4. Secured about the microphone well is a wire ringI5 provided with four ears I6 and |1 and having its ends I8 secured by awire clip 20. This wire ring I5 is sufficiently resilient that it willclamp tightly about the well I I.

Secured to the helmet 2| as by means of snap fasteners 22 are fourstraps 23, each including an adjusting buckle 24, a hooked eye member 25at the end thereof having a turned-back hook end 23. The hook ends 26 ofthe two straps 23 on the left side'of the helmet 2| are intended tocooperate with the ring ears I6, the hook ends 23 of theother pair ofstrap members 23 on the right side of the wearer I4 are intended tocooperate with the turned-back ends 21 of a clip bar 28. This clip bar28 forms part of a quick disconnecting mechanism 30, shown in Fig. 4,wherein a clip handle 3| is pivoted at 32 to a clip anchor 33 and theclip handle 3| `beyond Athe pivot points at 32 ends in hooks 34 adaptedto secure about clip bar 28, as shown in Fig.. 4. The clip anchor 33extends between the ears I1, that portion of the wire ring I5 betweenears I1 being crimped as at 35 as shown.

As thus described, the quick detaching mechanism 3D is intended for useby a right-handed individual so as to be easily accessible to his righthand, but if a left-handed individual is to wear it, it is onlynecessary to rotate the ring degrees about the microphone well II,including a similar rotation of the straps 23, or alternatively, thestraps 23 may be left in position and the eye hooks 25 appropriatelydisconnected and reconnected. The helmet 2| may be omitted by merelylengthening straps 23 to extend and join behind the head.

In operation, the mask III is secured in position by snap fastening thestraps 23 to the helmet 2|, as at 22, before the helmet is placed on thehead. Then the clip handle 3| is passed under the clip bar 28 androtated 180 degrees, securing the hooks 34 about the clip bar 28 andholding the mask in operative position, it being noted that the ends ofthe clip anchor 33 are turned back a bit to provide seats 36 in whichclip bar 28 rests, as shown in Fig. 1. The use of goggles 31 is notinterfered with by the presence of the mask I0 or mask securing straps23. If the wearer wishes to remove the mask III quickly, he has but tolift the clip handle 3| from the position shown ber and arrangement ofthe parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe nature of this invention within the scope of what is hereinafterclaimed.

The invention herein described .and claimed may be manufactured and usedby or for the Government of the United States of America forgovernmental purposes Withoutthepayment of any royalties thereon ortherefor.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for retaining a mask of themicro-v phone well type on theface, said-mask havinglan oxygen tube port above the well level,comprising a ring resiliently secured on-the mask microphone well,:apluralityy of ears extending from said ring,r

a plurality-of adjustable straps having V'snap fastener meansforsecuring to a helmet, an eye hookmounted. on 'the end ofreach of saidstraps, a pair of'said eyehooksicooperatingLwith Aa pair of said ringears, and' a quick disconnecting mechanism mounted on the" otherpair ofsaid eye hooksan'dthe vother'pair ofl said ring ears;

2. A deviceA `for quick-detachably retaining a mask 'of :the microphoneWell Vtype' on theface, comprisingia ring resiliently secured ony themask microphone well;v a pluralityfof ears extending fromv said ring-:faplurality of adjustable straps havinggsnap jfastener' means for securingto a helmet,` an eye hook' mounted on'th'e'endofy each of said straps,fapair of'fsaid' eyehooksfcooperatingfwith a pair of said ring ears,and aquick disconnecting mechanism mounted on the other pair of .said eye'hooks andthe other paircf said ring.A

earsp;

, 3. l'Ldevicefor, quick-detachably 'retaining a mask of the'microphonewell' type on 'the'.v face, comprisinga ring resiliently secured onthemask microphone well',`a plurality of ears 'extending from said ring, aplurality of head-mounting straps having a hook mounted on the end ofeach of said straps, a pair of said eye hooks cooperating with a pair ofsaid ring ears, and a quick disconnecting mechanism secured to the otherpair of said hooks and the other pair of said 'ring ears, ;said quick`disconnecting mechanism comprising a clipl bar securedV to said pair ofhooks, an anchor bar mounted on said pair of ring ears said anchor barterminating in a pair ofY turned-back ends providing clip bar receivingseats .and a handle clip having a pair of hooked ends and pivoted to theturned-back ends of said anchor bar whereby said clip handle may extendunder said clip bar and be pivoted thereabout to place .said clip bar insaid anchor bar seats to holdthe mask in position and may be rotated inan opposite' direction vto raise said clip bar out ofV saidanchor barseats for quick separation.

4. A device for quick-detachably retaining a mask of the microphone wellftype on the face, comprising a ringresiliently secured on the maskmicrophone well, a plurality of ears extending from` said ring, aplurality of adjustable straps having snap fastener. means for 1securing to a helmet, an eye hook mounted on the end of each ofsaidstraps,` a pair of said eye hooks cooperating with a pair of saidring ears, and a quick disconnecting Vmechanism mountedv on the otherpair( of said eye hooksand the other pair of said ring ears, said quickdisconnecting mechanism com- Y prising a clip bar secured to said pairof eye hooks7 an .anchor bar mounted on saidpair of ring ears, saidanchor bar terminating in a pair ofturned-back ends providing clip barreceiving sea-ts and a handle clip having a pair of hooked

